Castlerigg Stone Circle Walk
Visit the Stonehenge of the Lake District on this fascinating circular walk in Keswick.
You can start your walk from the roadside parking spaces at the junction of Eleven Trees and Castle Lane. You can see this on the google street view link below. On the opposite side of the road you'll find a gate and footpath leading to the stone circle. A short walk takes you to the site which dates from 3,300 to 900 BC, during the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages. The area is surrounded by some beautiful countryside with views towards Helvellyn, Skiddaw, Grassmoor and Blencathra. It's an atmospheric and beautiful setting, attracting many visitors each year.
After exploring the site you can turn it into a longer circular walk by following a public footpath which runs through the surrounding fields. Then return on Castle Lane to the car park.
The site is located just over a mile from Keswick so you could also walk or cycle from there.
If you'd like to continue your walking in this lovely area then you could pick up the Keswick Railway Path. It runs along a dismantled railway line just to the north of Castlerigg. You can enjoy views of the River Greta and explore Brundholme Wood from the path.
Also nearby is the climb to Latrigg Fell.
Postcode
CA12 4RN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Castlerigg Stone Circle Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Castlerigg Stone Circle Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Castlerigg Stone Circle OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Castlerigg Stone Circle Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Explore the Area with Google Street View 
Pubs/Cafes
There's usually an ice cream van near the site during warmer summer months so you can pick up some light refreshment here.
Just to north east there's the Hungry Heifer Café at the Keswick Climbing Wall. The cafe is located at the activity centre and serves a good range of meals and snacks. There are fine views to the surrounding mountains from the outdoor seating area.
If you head into Keswick and you can visit the Lake Road Inn. The pub does good food and also has a nice garden area to sit out in if the weather is fine. You can find the pub on 10 Lake Road with a postcode of CA12 5BT for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
It's a nice area to bring your dog for a walk though you are requested to keep them on leads at the site as there are a lot of sheep about. The Lake Road Inn is also dog friendly inside and out in the garden area.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
For similar historic walks in Cumbria you could visit Lacys Caves and Long Meg near Penrith and the Swinside Stone Circle near Millom and Haverigg.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Keswick Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Beautiful shot of the stones with mountains rising up in the background
The Altar stone, Castlerigg Stone Circle. Set in a natural amphitheatre of surrounding fells this is one of the country's oldest stone circles said to have been constructed around 3,000BC. There are 38 stones making up the 30 metre diameter circle the largest of which is this altar stone in the foreground. When I was there a father and son were playing football, using two of the stones as goal posts.
Blencathra from the Castlerigg Stone Circle
Skiddaw from the Castlerigg Stone Circle Skiddaw. With Its wide "Tourist" path clearly visible ascending to the ridge
Lake District World Heritage Site Sign. Information board at the site.
A snowy Helvellyn from Castlerigg. Looking up Naddledale.
Blencathra from the Castlerigg Stone Circle
Country lane near the stone circle